The Japanese market is full of budget and reliable sports cars, but supercars are rare and hypercars even rarer. As a matter of fact, this is the very first! The Aspark Owl is an all-electric beast of a machine that takes the natural advantages that come from electric cars and runs with it.
There are things Tesla discovered in its creation, and that Audi/Porsche is starting to realize; that torque is its biggest advantage, transmissions are a thing of the past, and much of the performance is adjustable by ones and zeroes. Aspark knew this from aiding car manufacturers and private owners to upgrade hybrids in the past. Now they took these advantages to the complete max with their debut ground-up hypercar.
If you're wondering if it's on the same level as real supercars like Bugatti and Pagani, well, so are we. All we can really do is wait and pray that it's the real deal and not just another Lykan HyperSport; a concept that didn't hit home or start a revolution, but rather was teased about for years and never really sold. Well, the signs are so far all good! In fact, it's almost impossible to deny that there's something here that will last centuries, starting now!
10 It's Actually For Sale in North America
For a long time, we have been scared by the neglect of Japan, keeping the fancy things like Type-R's and the best Skylines to themselves, but Aspark is smart! They know that with more than double the population (and probably triple the interest in Hypercars), the U.S. is a market worth bending over backward for.
A smart move, indeed. By making a left-hand drive model for the Yankees they effectively (A)spark out interest in any future vehicles, set a foothold, and probably sell out at a premium months before shipping despite the $3M price tag!
9 The Horsepower!
Torque is a major advantage in electric cars, that golf-kart feel of kicking right up to speed, but horsepower is the tricky part! That's what gives you a high-end speed for overtaking and top speed, it's what punches through the wind when the pedal is down.
For the Owl we get the same horsepower count as there are years in the Myan calendar (2012). All of it is driven through its four "Permanent Magnetic Synchronous Motors," AKA a motor that synchs up with AC currents in direct proportion; no "reluctance" as found in Teslas.
8 Its AWD Torque-Vectoring System
Torque-vectoring is a broad term covering systems that control power to individual wheels. In gas cars, it's a matter of applying electronics to mechanics in the differentials to decide what wheels get power; sometimes a slow and uncertain process that still isn't very refined. Some modern cars still take seven to eight tire rotations before the car knows it's slipping, engages, and fixes the traction.
Electric cars have the instant-torque advantage with every motor, and while not all of them have four motors to control, the Aspark Owl does. Their own system is more advanced because it needs the most instant response possible, the same technology that stabilizes drones in the air automatically. It's the only way it can get its record-shattering 0-60 time without kissing the nearest barrier.
7 Record-Shattering 0-60 Time
Just a reminder; the Bugatti Chiron does 0-60 in 2.4 seconds, enough to feel like falling horizontally (1G of lateral force). The Dodge Demon goes 0-60 in 2.1 seconds, stock. Tesla Model S Plaid gets there in 1.98 seconds. Well, Aspark kills these records with the Owl, claiming a 0-60 in just 1.69 seconds.
It does this not just with its four instant-torque electric motors, but also with the help of the highest-end tires on the market; Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 made custom for this wheel size. You can even watch them test it out right here.
6 Impressive 279-Mile Range
Sure, it can go really fast but this isn't some muscle car burning gas ten times as fast, even when it idles. Rather, you get the benefit of low-voltage running that acts like any other electric car for daily driving (minus the low ride height and stiff suspension). The result is a claimed 279-mile range.
Originally the estimated range was going to be just 93, so to see a Tesla-rivaling and Porsche-Taycan-beating range is very impressive. Even though they never mention what made the range more than double, the fact that they can claim almost 300 miles is impressive. Real-world testing hasn't been done yet, but I get the sense we won't be (too) disappointed.
5 Four Drive Modes
The four drive modes allow for fun everyday driving and not just break-neck speeds 24/7. Sport-Dynamic is a sport mode that's best for the track, focusing on control and handling as much as it does on power. Rain-Snow ensures you're safe (as safe as you can be in a 2012 horsepower car) by focusing on its all-wheel-drive system and expecting more slippage.
City-Comfort is nicely not named "eco" or "range" or something else stress-inducing, but rather tells you that it's going to take it smooth and easy, not jerking around your passenger or you. High Boost is unique; it feels the same as shifting down a gear or two on a sports car in that it delivers more torque, and that is its only purpose. This is the mode to use for 0-60 times and top speed.
4 Top Speed Of 248 Miles Per Hour?
This claimed top speed can largely be attributed to the low profile height (but more on that in a second), and its massive horsepower. While 2012 hp and 1,475 ft-lbs of torque really help carry it with high wind resistance, the biggest limitation is the tires.
As mentioned before, the Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2's are what they use. These are rated up to 304.7 miles per hour thanks to taking the same tech used to land the space shuttle (at 314 miles per hour). Naturally, these are what Bugatti uses, though, theirs are specially reinforced for the heavier car. Though the top speed is also just a claim, most of the time we see the record met or beaten in the real world.
3 Wild (But Comfortable?) Seating Position
To better secure you and give you the sporty feel, your butt is actually below the height of the pedals. This isn't unique... if you're an F1 driver! While the seat is adjustable it generally raises your back up more than an F1 driver and that's really the only difference.
How does it feel to drive like that? It's never really been described as uncomfortable. People say it's actually quite natural, like reclining back to play a video game. It even feels good on long road trips, like a zero gravity chair. Of the seating position, Lewis Hamilton says "It's quite comfortable. Sitting in the car, it's quite easy to fall asleep."
2 38.9-inch Total Height
Physics lesson time! The Aspark Owl didn't get too fancy with aerodynamics, wings, or air vents. Instead, they just made the car really really low! The result is much less "viscous drag," (not vicious, "viz-cuss") the type of drag that determines terminal velocity (top speed). This less viscous drag the higher speed it's able to reach before the wind resistance = driving force.
Also, downforce and spoilers, while useful, are less important. When you're punching a 38.9-inch tall object through space (versus Bugatti Chiron's 47.7") then the drag coefficient behind the car is less. Downforce, while still helpful, actually isn't as necessary because the car maintains its position better and doesn't get the lifting or pulling from behind issues nearly as much. Still, they did include an active aero wing...
1 Cockpit-Style Ceiling Controls Including Manually-Adjust Wing
Nothing makes you feel more like you're in a jet cockpit than reaching up to the (relatively low) ceiling to start your car, set your drive mode, or even adjust your wing! All the website has confirmed out loud is, "Switches now are on the ceiling: it seems to sit inside a cockpit."
That being said, we don't know which switches are where. We do know that it has an active aero wing that you can control manually inside of the car. When not in use it folds completely flat against the body and disappears, a truly impressive feature to top it all off!